Minister for the Ministry of Forests and Research Chris Laore highlighted the importance of forest and water to the livelihood of people, during the celebration of the international day of forest and water in Honiara on Monday.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Shortland islands told the participants that without forest and water, life would be impossible to exist.
He said the functions of forest and water complement to each other in breeding a healthy environment that necessary for human survival.
Mr Laore said in the global scale forested watersheds and wetland supply 75 percent of the world’s accessible fresh water for domestic, agricultural, industrial and ecological needs.
“Due to human destructive activities through land use change it brought negative impacts on water resource availability.”
He also pointed out that forests contributes significantly to reducing soil erosion and the risk of landslides and natural disasters, which can disrupt the source and supply of freshwater.
The MP added forests protect and rehabilitate areas prone to soil degradation and erosion on upland areas, reduce the effects of small-scale, frequent or local flooding and prevent or reduce dry-land salinity and desertification.
“Therefore humans must take stewardship role in managing and protecting the beautiful environment necessary for human lives, so trees and waters are vital components of the ecosystem that makes life exist on earth,” he added.
By AATAI JOHN
